Cubs Place Arrieta and Fujikawa on 15-Day DL, McDonald on 60-Day DL

The Cubs made the procedural moves Sunday in order to finalize the Opening Day roster and the first 40-man roster of the season.

Jake Arrieta was placed on the 15-day DL retroactive to March 21 with right shoulder tightness. Instead of starting Kyuji Fujikawa on the 60-day DL to start the season, Fujikawa was placed on the 15-day retroactive to March 21. Fujikawa is recovering from Tommy John surgery in June of 2013 and is apparently ahead of schedule, as reports have suggested, in order to him to be placed on the 15-day DL.

The Cubs are hoping Arrieta will be able to join the rotation by the end of April at the latest. Arrieta is traveling with the team in order to continue with Chris Bosio before he begins a rehab assignment. Arrieta should need three to four minor league starts before being ready to start at the big league level.

In order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the Cubs placed James McDonald on the 60-day DL retroactive to February 13 with right shoulder inflammation.

Due to service time, James McDonald is under the Cubs control for the 2015 season. The Cubs will try to get McDonald healthy this year but worse case is McDonald could provide depth for next season.

The Cubs selected the contracts of C John Baker, OF Ryan Kalish, RHP Brian Schlitter and IF/OF Emilio Bonifacio from Triple-A Iowa. The team officially designated RHP Alberto Cabrera for assignment and optioned Chris Rusin to Triple-A Iowa.